At first glance, the emerging cooling of relations between Georgia and its Western partners appeared likely to trigger a substantial reorientation of Tbilisi’s foreign policy toward Russia. However, post-election developments demonstrated that no sharp “turn to the North” occurred. This raises a series of fundamental questions: Can the 2024 elections be regarded as a watershed moment in Georgia’s foreign policy? How profound is the rift between Tbilisi and Euro-Atlantic institutions, and does it create conditions for improving relations with Moscow? These issues form the analytical basis of the present study.

If “novelty” is understood as a radical shift in Georgia’s foreign policy priorities, it must be acknowledged that the country’s strategic orientation has remained largely unchanged. Yet if we interpret “new course” as the emergence of important nuances and adjustments, notable transformations become evident. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, no longer treats the European and Euro-Atlantic trajectory as an unquestionable ideological imperative. Rather, it increasingly views it as an instrument for advancing national interests on the international stage. Much, therefore, depends on how the West chooses to respond: whether it will insist on Georgia’s full political alignment or demonstrate willingness to accommodate the country’s distinctive version of “national Atlantism.”

Following the attainment of candidate status for membership in the European Union (EU), Georgia anticipated active implementation of its obligations under the Association Agreement and further progress in accession-related dialogue. In 2025, the Parliament of Georgia formally approved the European Integration Committee and its “2025 Action Plan,” which outlines legislative harmonization with EU norms, oversight of the Association Agreement’s implementation, and public diplomacy initiatives. Moreover, on 12 August 2025, the Commission on Georgia’s Integration into the EU convened to review progress and adopt the next phase of measures. These developments indicate that Tbilisi — at least formally — continues to adhere to its European trajectory despite political turbulence.

Nonetheless, the situation deteriorated markedly in 2025. The November “EU Enlargement Report 2025” delivered sharp criticism of Georgia, citing a significant decline in democratic standards, weakened judicial independence, rising anti-European rhetoric, and deviations from commitments undertaken in the Association Agreement. The EU Ambassador in Tbilisi went so far as to state that “Georgia is now further from membership than it was in 2023.” In addition, the Georgian government officially postponed the start of accession negotiations until 2028. Among the factors contributing to this setback is pressure from the EU, including the planned introduction of a new visa mechanism in November 2025 intended to incentivize Georgia to return to substantive integration efforts.

Official Tbilisi contends that it is not Georgia but rather “European bureaucracy” that has suspended the integration process. At the same time, the authorities reaffirm that European integration remains a priority of foreign policy and insist that Georgia will continue preparing for eventual membership through 2030. Indeed, the integration process is inherently complex and multidimensional, requiring consistent compliance with political, legal, and economic criteria.

Despite the slowdown in political rapprochement with Brussels, the potential benefits of future EU membership remain significant. Today, the European Union is Georgia’s largest trading partner, accounting for 22.1% of the country’s total external trade. Trade dynamics reveal a steady strengthening of economic ties: EU exports to Georgia amount to approximately €4.34 billion, while Georgian exports to the EU total around €681 million. These figures underscore the growing embeddedness of Georgia’s economy within the broader European market.

The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, already in force under the Association Agreement, has granted Georgian producers access to the EU’s single market. This has stimulated higher production standards, supported the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and encouraged foreign investment. Potential EU membership would amplify these gains by offering expanded markets, access to European capital and technologies, greater macroeconomic stability, and a transparent regulatory environment conducive to long-term growth. In 2024, Georgia recorded one of the highest economic growth rates in the region — 9.4% — demonstrating its capacity to adapt to modern market conditions and capitalize on integration-related opportunities.

Beyond economics, integration with the EU provides substantial social and humanitarian advantages. Georgian citizens already benefit from visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, facilitating education, tourism, and employment. Full membership would broaden these opportunities, granting access to European academic programs, research networks, and labour markets, thereby strengthening human capital and further integrating Georgian society into the European cultural space.

Equally important is the political dimension. Participation in European institutions requires adherence to principles of the rule of law, human rights, and democratic governance. For Georgia, this could serve as a strong incentive for institutional modernization, increased transparency, and enhanced public trust. Furthermore, European mechanisms offer higher guarantees of security and stability — an aspect of particular relevance given the region’s complex geopolitical environment.

Thus, 2025 emerged as a year of reassessment of the role of European integration in Georgia’s foreign policy. Despite the complications in relations with the EU, the economic and institutional logic of rapprochement remains intact. The European vector continues to hold strategic significance and developmental potential, even amidst temporary setbacks and shifting political dynamics. For Georgia, EU membership represents not merely an external policy aspiration but a pathway toward modernization, institutional consolidation, and improved societal well-being. It is precisely this combination of political, economic, and social advantages that makes the European direction a promising long-term choice, despite the current pause in negotiations.

#GEORGIA

11.12.2025 08:21